Nagpur: A day after a video showing former state Congress president Nana Patole’s feet being washed with milk by party workers on Guru Purnima triggered controversy, he defended the incident, saying the ritual was performed only after repeated insistence by supporters and did not reflect his personal preference.The video, widely circulated on social media, shows the Sakoli MLA seated on a chair while two Congress workers wash his feet with milk, shower flower petals and seek his blessings. The footage prompted sharp criticism from BJP, which accused Congress of promoting a personality cult.Patole told the media the ceremony was a spontaneous gesture by workers who regarded him as a family elder.“This video is from Guru Purnima where two of my dear workers insisted on washing my feet. I don’t usually approve of this, but those are not only workers but like family members,” he said.Responding to BJP’s criticism, Patole accused the ruling party of selectively invoking tradition and culture. “It is nothing but a joke that a party like BJP is advising me on culture. Isn’t it the same party that is shielding the people who robbed the donation box at Ram Temple? Are they going to teach me on tradition and culture,” he asked.BJP, however, intensified its attack over the video. Maharashtra revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule told reporters that the footage reflected Congress leadership’s attitude towards its cadre.“This is the state of Congress karyakartas. Workers were washing the feet of Patole, who was busy on his phone,” Bawankule said, adding, “workers are made to sit at the feet of their leader. It also shows Congress leaders place themselves on a high pedestal and treat their followers shabbily.”The episode fuelled a fresh political confrontation between Congress and BJP, with both parties using the viral video to question each other’s political and cultural conduct.
